Why Veterans Miss War & How to Talk to the Veterans about War

13:08 minutes · Filmed Jan 2014 · Posted May 2014 · TEDSalon NY2014

Civilians don’t miss war. But soldiers often do. Journalist Sebastian Junger shares his experience embedded with American soldiers at Restrepo, an outpost in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley that saw heavy combat. Giving a look at the “altered state of mind” that comes with war, he shows how combat gives soldiers an intense experience of connection. In the end, could it actually be “the opposite of war” that soldiers miss? It’s a powerful talk from the author of The Perfect Storm the director of the Oscar-nominated documentary Restrepo.

Today, in advance of Memorial Day, we offer a second talk—from Wes Moore, a veteran and the author of The Other Wes Moore. He joined the US Army to pay for college, but says that the experience became core to who he is. In a heartfelt talk, the the paratrooper and captain explains the shock of returning home from Afghanistan. He shares the single phrase he heard from civilians on repeat, and shows why it’s just not sufficient. It’s a call for all of us to ask veterans to tell their stories — and listen.